Season Wrap-up!

Season Wrap-up!

How are you? It has been a while since we have gotten together. Let's make some time this week! Why? The last blog of the season ... This season was even more fun than last; both Bravo and Evolution, the production company for RHOC, have been awesome. I want to take this opportunity to thank them both for creating such a good experience for Megan, Lindsey, and me.

Seeing oneself on camera creates a unique and rare perspective to observe oneself -- the good, the bad and the embarrassing. One can hardly walk away not having learned a tremendous amount about oneself. I have also met some incredible people and have had some amazing experiences filming and doing promotional and charity appearances with "the girls" (Jeana, Vicki, Tamara, Lauri, and Quinn).

So, what are the updates? The loss of my children's father has been difficult, but my girls are adjusting to life without their dad. Megan is working full-time, breeding her dogs, and has a new litter of beautiful puppies -- each a sure champion. Lindsey is still working for the OC Energy Drink, working very hard on her new clothing line, LBlake by Lindsey Knickerbocker, and preparing to take her Real Estate exam. She will turn 19 on Wednesday. My girls are very creative and I have great expectations of both of them. Oddly, it seems they are taking on some of their mother's traits; both now even have have dark hair. Scary. Maybe I should go blond just to keep them on their toes. Ryley will be starting soccer this summer and is learning how to ride a bike without his training wheels.

Oh and the big news is that Duff, Ryley's dad, is married! Apparently, he tied the knot with his wife while on vacation in Europe, though I am skeptical of what that means here in the United States. Maybe a zebra doesn't change its stripes. In any case, I wish him well and I hope he is happy with is new life. I also heard through the grapevine that Vicki has hired him back at her company, Coto Insurance. Duff is a great salesman and the two of them together ... well -- what can I say -- they should be a tough team to beat. I'm sure I will be hanging out at Duff's Sunday Ex's BBQs; we try and make the best of our situation.

What have I been up to? I know a lot of people have been wondering; What do I do for a living? While I still do mortgages and sell some real estate, as you all know, this industry has slowed. To fill the gap I started my own company called Veriya.com, which is a web magazine, to which I devote much of my creative energies. In addition, I was asked to be featured in a horror film. Funny the way things develop. I just couldn't keep my spicy Latina mouth shut, offering my opinion on all things related to the production. Either they liked my ideas or I exhausted them, but in either case, they have asked me to participate behind the camera in various aspects of production. Crazy, is all I can say.

After taking some time to focus on my kids following the passing of their father, I started and am dating again, which I have for the most part kept private. Who's to say what will ultimately happen, but I expect the next year to prove interesting. Stay tuned.

My New Year's resolution is to start exercising and get fit again if for no other reason to keep up with Quinn, and age without need to have any "work" done. Easier said than done, I have found; I really have a hard time getting motivated, but if Jeana and Vicki can do it, so can I! They are my inspiration.... And Orange county offers so many opportunities to be active -- from sand and surf to run and swim, to the great mountainous open spaces like the Cleveland National Forest adjacent to Coto to hike and bike, to Newport Harbor for rowing, sailing and paddling kayaks and outrigger canoes. On the outrigger canoe paddling thing: Michael, who you have met on the show, races outrigger canoes and has been goading the girls and I to participate in an upcoming fund raising event where the housewives, as an all woman's team, take a day in the sun to race these forty foot, human powered Hawaiian boats in an open water race against teams from made up from OC's corporate world. Look out Broadcom, here comes the housewives! (For details, go HERE.)

Speaking of charities, this season has brought a number of requests for the girls to participate in assisting a variety of causes. Realizing we have been given so much, it is really hard to say "No." To check out at what upcoming charity events we might be appearing check out www.Veriya.com or my MySpace page.

This summer us girls are planning a trip to Italy, Spain, and maybe Hawaii. I can scarcely imagine: Vicki and I trying to learn Flamenco in Seville? Jeana on a Vespa in Naples? Surf lessons for Tamara in Waikiki? We haven't decided if we are going to bring the men, or whether they deserve to be invited, so it could make for an interesting summer.

Thanks for all the support, e-mails and letters I have received. You all have been great and I really appreciate your open, caring hearts.